Max Dowman’s father has launched a furious attack on a former coach he claims is taking undeserved credit for his son’s rise .
Robert Dowman took to social media after Temisan Williams appeared on talkSPORT to discuss the 16 year old’s record breaking Premier League goal against Everton . And he didn’t hold back.
THE FATHER’S FURY
“Listening to this guy Temisan Williams claiming he was any part of Max’s journey is a really sad piece of attempted self promotion,” Robert wrote.
“I have asked him previously to refrain from doing so, but still he pops up on talkSport this morning… I remember him putting the cones out at training a few times, but that’s about it.”
Strong words. Very strong.
“We have so many fabulous coaches who we are so grateful to. He is certainly not one of them.”
WILLIAMS’ COMMENTS
Williams had been introduced on the show as a former coach of the teenager, and spoke positively about Dowman’s qualities.
“It’s an incredible thing that Max has done, it’s brilliant for his family, the academy, the club and the fans,” he said. “He should just enjoy the moment, which I know he did.
“I was the Under 12s assistant coach. I was also able to see Max for two years, so a small part of his journey, but Max has always had that super strength of being able to carry the ball. That’s always been something he’s enjoyed, something he’s strong at and something we saw in training.”
A “small part of his journey” that’s exactly what he claimed. But for Robert Dowman, even that was too much.
THE VIEIRA SITUATION
Elsewhere, Fabio Vieira has pushed back talk of a permanent move to Hamburg, despite another impressive performance for the German side.
The midfielder scored in a 1-1 draw with Koln, taking his season tally to five goals and four assists . He’s admitted to “feeling like the old Fabio again” after his loan move.
Hamburg are keen to make it permanent but want the asking price reduced from the £17m Arsenal are seeking . The Gunners paid an initial £30m (potentially rising to £34m) for the Portuguese playmaker.
“Everyone knows I still have a contract with Arsenal. So let’s wait until the end of the season. Then we’ll talk about it and see what we can do,” Vieira said.
THE LEVERKUSEN TEST
All this as Arsenal prepare for a massive Champions League night against Bayer Leverkusen. The tie is delicately poised at 1-1 after the first leg, with Kai Havertz’s 89th minute penalty rescuing a draw in Germany .
Mikel Arteta is demanding more: “We will look at the things that we have improved, the situations that we can create and try to be especially much more efficient in a lot of simple things that today we didn’t do so well.”
THE VERDICT
A family feud. A transfer waiting game. A Champions League decider.
Just another week at Arsenal.
